USA > Colorado > Sketches of Colorado: being an analytical summary and biographical history of the State of Colorado as portrayed in the lives of the pioneers, the founders, the builders, the statesmen, and the prominent and progressive citizens Vol. 1 > Part 37
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In 1882, Mr. Porter returned to Denver, which he has since made his permanent resi- dence, and at once became prominently identified with the leading business of the city, and interested in many of the commer- cial and other enterprises that built up and made Denver the metropolis of the Rocky Mountain region. He became interested in the Denver National Bank, the American Water Works Company, the Denver Con- solidated Gas Company, the Denver Con- solidated Electric Company, the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, the Denver Steam Heating Company, the Colorado Packing Company, the Denver Union Stock Yards Company, the Denver Steel Works Company, the James Paving Company, and the Denver Paper Mills. Mr. Porter also made large investments in the cattle and grazing in- dustry, having extensive interests in the Red River, the Pawnee, the Cimarron, the Texas, the Urak, and Gila Cattle Companies. He has always shown keen and business fore- sight in the development of Denver, Colorado and the west, believing that the great re- sources of this region warranted heavy real estate investments. He has been especially interested in buying and developing on Fif- teenth street, as well as other parts of the city, and his real estate holdings in Denver are extensive.
Mr. Porter married in 1874, Miss Laura W, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Smith of Denver. They have five children: Dora G., John H., William E., Laurine, and Ruth.
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WILLIAM NEWTON BYERS.
B YERS, WILLIAM NEWTON, journalist, son of Moses Watson and Mary Ann (Brandenburg) Byers, was born in Madison county, Ohio, February 22, 1831, and died in Denver, Colorado, on March 25, 1903. His ancestors were influential families in the colonial era. His great grandfather, An- drew Byers, and his grandfather, James By- esrs, and two of the latter's brothers, were
on the Darby plains. Removing to Musca- tine, Iowa, he again engaged in farming, and died there in 1866. His wife, who was Mary Ann Brandenburg, of an old German family, in the Miami valley of Ohio, died in Iowa in 1884.
William N. Byers was educated in the public schools, which he attended during the winter months, working on the farm in sum-
WILLIAM NEWTON BYERS
soldiers in the patriotie army of the Amer- ican Revolution. He is descended from a Seotch family that, through persecution, was driven to Ireland, there participating in the siege of Londonderry. Later they immi- grated to the American colonies and settled in Pennsylvania. Ilis father, Moses Wat- son Byers, born in Washington eounty, Penn- sylvania, removed to Madison eounty, Ohio, where he cleared and farmed about 300 acres
mer. In 1848-49 he was a student at the academy, West Jefferson, Ohio. In 1851 he began his work as a surveyor, starting as a chainman and compassman in the employ of the government, then making extensive sur- veys in Western lowa. He later ran the section lines of a considerable part of this survey, until 1852, when he went to the Pa- eifie Coast. He was employed as a United States surveyor in Oregon, and what is now
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the State of Washington, and in the winter of 1853-54 was engaged in the mining camps of California, returning to the states via the Isthmus of Panama. He followed railroad surveying for a short time, making his home in Omaha in 1854. He there became county surveyor, then the first deputy United States surveyor for Nebraska, running the section and township lines in the eastern part of the territory. In 1854-55 Mr. Byers was elected an alderman in Omaha, and was also a mem- ber of the first territorial legislature of Ne- braska, and was a prominent figure during political discussion and agitation of the Kan- sas-Nebraska bill. He came to Denver in the spring of 1859, bringing by wagon, the equipment for a newspaper, and printed the first issue of the Rocky Mountain News April 23, 1859. This was Colorado's first newspa- per, of which Mr. Byers was editor and man- ager for nineteen years. Mr. Byers was one of the most historie figures in the upbuilding of Colorado, not only as a journalist, but in the promotion and advancement of many enterprises. In the political, industrial, ed- ucational, and, in fact, in every feature of life, that moulded and encouraged western spirit, activity, and development, Mr. Byers stood out pre-eminent. During his life he was a living encyclopaedia of Colorado life and events. While he never claimed to be a specialist, yet for general and all-round in- formation on all topics and questions relat- ing to the west, its history, principal events, noted men, science in the popular form, and the varied industries, Mr. Byers was the peer of them all. He visited the rich "strikes" made in the mines by Jackson and Gregory, and others that followed, and through his newspaper made known the rapid develop- ment of the mining industry. With agricul- ture, the stock industry, railroad building, and every feature of western development, Mr. Byers kept in close touch from its early history to its later achievements. On all that pertained to the west, he was in his day, the best informed man in Colorado. He was a man of courage, and as editor of the News. faced mob threats and violence in his ngut for law and order in the pioneer days. He was one of the organizers of the company that built the first telegraph line in this state, extending from Denver to Santa Fe, this branch being constructed under his per- sonal supervision.
Through the influence of his newspaper, Mr. Byers added many thousands of immi- grants to the population of the state. He was interested in the promoting and build- ing of the Denver & South Park, Denver Pa-
cific, Utah & Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande, and all the early railroads of this region. In 1893-94 he was president of the Denver Chamber of Commerce. He was prominently associated with the promoters and builders of the present Denver Tramway system, of which he was vice-president for many years. In politics, Mr. Byers was a Republican, al- ways a leading factor in the councils of his party, and one of the most influential in securing the admission of Colorado as a state. In June, 1859, he was chairman of a convention called to secure a state organiza- tion; was a member, in 1864, of the conven- tion that framed the first state constitution, under the enabling act of congress, but vetoed by President Johnson; was ap- pointed Denver postmaster in 1864, resigning in 1867; was again postmaster at Denver during the Hayes administration, 1879-1883; was president of the Festival of Mountain and Plain. In every position held, Mr. By- ers filled it with marked ability. He was for several years president of the State His- torical and Natural History Society of Colo- rado, also filling that position with the Colo- rado Pioneer Society. He stood high in the Masonic fraternity. The name of Mr. Byers was frequently suggested for the guberna- torial nomination, but he never aspired for holding that office.
Mr. Byers married in Muscatine, Iowa, November 16, 1854, Elizabeth Minerva Sum- ner, granddaughter of Governor Lucas, twice governor of Ohio, and later twice governor of Iowa, appointive and elective. The Sum- ners came from an old and noted colonial families of Virginia. Mrs. Byers from the pioneer days to the present time has been prominent in the social, church, educational and patriotic life and work of Denver.
Sulphur Springs, and Mary Byers, wife of
In 1864, Mr. Byers located mineral springs, known as the Warm or Hot Sulphur Springs, in Grand county, Colorado, under Sionx (Indian) script. He obtained a con- tract from the government to survey one complete township in that section, and thus was enabled to establish his own lines for the springs, which he accomplished in 1867. It was then the home of the Ute Indians. In 1901 Mr. Byers published his History of Colorado, replete with interesting details.
To Mr. and Mrs. Byers were born two children : Frank S. Byers, who continued to reside on the large stock ranch, near Hot Sulphur Springs, and Mary Byers, wife of William F. Robinson, president of the W. F. Robinson Printing Company of Denver.
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JUDGE GEORGE GIFFORD SYMES
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JUDGE GEORGE GIFFORD SYMES.
SYMES, JUDGE GEORGE GIFFORD, soldier, statesman and jurist, was born at Bloomfield, Ohio, April 28, 1840, and died November 3, 1893. He was the son of Wil- liam and Mary (Gifford) Symes, his father coming to this country in 1836. In 1852, the family removed to Wisconsin, and he received his early education in the country district schools. In 1860, he entered the law offices of Senator Angus Cameron and was appointed .United States district judge of Montana by President Grant in 1869.
Judge Symes came to Colorado in 1874, and started in the practice of law. From the first he was most successful. At the republican state convention of 1884, Judge Symes was nominated for representative in congress and the unexpected large majority received by him was ample proof of the esteem in which he was held by the voters. He was again renominated for congress in 1886. He believed in all of the doctrines of protection, and on account of his natural qualities as a thinker and student, he was of great practical influence in congress. He was responsible for the passage of a bill pro- viding for a survey of the arid lands of the west and the building of large storage res- ervoirs for the winter season's accumulated water.
Being a member of the committee on ter- ritories, he earnestly seconded the movement resulting in the admission of the two Da- kotas, Montana and Washihngton. He re- sisted the admission of Utah until the Mor- mons should renounce polygamy.
Throughout his political career, Judge Symes was a staunch and unswerving sup- porter of the principles of Abraham Lincoln, Ben Wade, Joshua R. Giddings and John A. Brigham. His career in congress was most consistent, and by a steady devotion to the interests of his constituents, he soon attained the confidence and respect of all classes, both in and out of the legislative halls.
Judge Symes' army record is also most brilliant. He was one of the first to respond to the call of his country upon the break- ing out of the rebellion. He enlisted as a private, April 12, 1861, three days before the call to arms had been issued by the presi- dent. In the first battle of Bull Run, he was wounded, in consequence of which he was discharged for disability, but upon his recovery he organized a company for the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, was made adjutant and took the field in a two months'
campaign against the Sioux Indians in north- ern Minnesota. In 1863, his regiment was ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, and accom- panied General Grant in the campaign which resulted in the overthrow of Vicksburg. In the battle of Atlanta, under General Sher- man, he was severely wounded, and to this wound, from which he never fully recov- ered, is probably due his death.
For gallantry during this campaign he was commissioned colonel of the Forty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry. In 1865, he was ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, where he commanded the post until his regiment was mustered out in August, 1865. When commissioned colonel he was the youngest colonel in the United States army.
After serving his honorable terms in con- gress, Judge Symes devoted his time to the law and his private business.
He was attorney for the Citizens Water Company and had other business connec- tions of a wide and varied character.
He established, before his death, the Symes Law Library in the Symes Block, an- other monument to his memory, and one of the best known business blocks in Denver. The library, which is free to the occupants of the building, mostly composed of law firms, is one of the most complete libraries in the state.
In his life as a citizen, Judge Symes was a model for the younger generation to emu- late. The interests of Denver were his inter- ests, and the people's welfare and happiness were also his, in a like degree. In everything of a public or charitable nature he was always ready to support financially and mor- ally, and whatever cause he aided with his voice, it was well known he stood ready and willing to aid with his purse.
Judge Symes was married in Chicago, July 3, 1875, to Miss Sophie F. Foster, daugh- ter of the eminent scientist, John Wells Fos- ter, LL. D. There are three children, Kath- erine Foster, John Foster, and George Gif- ford Symes.
His home life was ideal, and no man was a better exemplification of the perfect hus- band and father than was he.
Large in his ideals and conceptions of his duty to life and mankind; an optimist in every sense of the word, and a lover of his fellow man, his was indeed, though passed, a model life for our youth to be guided by and a blessed memory to his family, his friends and the citizens of Colorado.
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EDWARD BROADBENT MORGAN
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EDWARD BROADBENT MORGAN.
M ORGAN, EDWARD BROADBENT, law- yer, born at Wethersfield, Connecticut, December 18, 1862, the son of Samuel B. (1835-1897) and Ellen T. (Blinn) Morgan. On the paternal side his ancestry is Welsh. The progenitor in America was Richard Rose Morgan ; settled in New London, Connecticut, in 1679. The family was prominent in early colonial and later New England history, fur- nishing soldiers and officers for the American army. On both his parents' sides, Mr. Mor- gan is descended from Elder William Brew- ster, pastor of the Mayflower, and of the Pilgrim Fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock. His father, Samuel B. Morgan (q. v.), began life as a cabin boy on a whaler, sail- ing from New Bedford, and rose to the posi- tion of commander. Coming to Colorado in 1862, he was successively a mining super- intendent, a merchant, and a successful dealer in real estate and mines, acquiring large wealth.
When Edward Broadbent Morgan was less than two years old, his mother brought him to Colorado, crossing the plains in a stage coach (1864), to join his father, then superintendent of mining properties at Black Hawk. In 1873, the family moved to Den- ver. Edward attended the public schools of the city, graduating from the Denver High School in 1881. In 1882, he entered Yale College, graduating with the class of '86. His summer vacations were spent in European travel. He entered the Harvard Law School in September, 1888, taking a two-year course, and at its close making a trip through portions of British Columbia and Alaska. September, 1888, Mr. Morgan attached himself to the law office of Teller & Orahood of Denver, and one year later he was admitted to the bar. In 1890, he be- came chief clerk in the office of that firm, and was admitted as a partner in 1892. There his experience as attorney and coun- sellor was principally in connection with important litigation in matters of business, estates, lands, mining and corporation law. In 1898, the firm of Teller, Orahood & Mor-
gan was dissolved, and Mr. Morgan has ever since pursued the practice alone, though de- voting the larger part of the time to the management of his father's estate.
Mr. Morgan is a gentleman of education and culture, with decided literary tenden- cies, and possessed of wide information on universal affairs. He is particularly ambi- tious and thorough in his specialty of col- lecting and preserving the history and lit- erature of Colorado. For many years he has been president of the Colorado Historical and Natural History Society. But this work of bibliography is a personal matter and a self-imposed task-a work for publie good at his own expense. The cost is that of time and labor, as well as money. His collection consists of books, pamphlets, special publica- tions and objects connected with the early history and current events of Colorado. The works of Colorado journalists and writers form a conspicuous part. His collection comprises not less than six hundred bound volumes of historical and descriptive works and several thousand pamphlets, papers and other publications, combined, relating to the history and bibliography of Colorado. But comparatively few of these books and papers could be duplicated, while many are quite rare and of no small value. This collection is consigned by Mr. Morgan to the care and keeping of the Colorado Historical and Nat- ural History Society, in their rooms at the State Capitol building. Mr. Morgan is a member of the University Club of New York, the University Club of Denver, the Denver Athletic Club and the Overland Park Club.
Mr. Morgan married Grace Firth Welles of Denver, April 12, 1909. He is in the prime of life at the age of forty-nine, and is well known and much esteemed in Colorado, while he has a large business and profes- sional acquaintance in many parts of the United States. He is a man of good influ- ence among the members of the bar, pop- ular in social circles, and has the confidence and friendship of all classes of the people.
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EDWIN STEBBINS KASSLER
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EDWIN STEBBINS KASSLER.
KASSLER, EDWIN STEBBINS, real estate, investments and securities, born in Denver, Colorado, October 29, 1866, the son of George W. Kassler (q.v.) (banker) (1836- 1890). George W. Kassler was born in Cana- joharie, New York, September 12, 1836. Having acquired his business and financial training under such eminent men as L. R. Tuttle and A. U. Wyman, both of whom be- came the respective treasurers of the United States, George W. Kassler came from Omaha to Denver in 1860, took part as a pioneer in business and public affairs and became one of the leading builders of the early Den- ver, subsequently one of its most substantial citizens and business men, leaving the legaey of an honorable name and a degree of com- fortable wealth to his family. His mother was Maria T. Stebbins, daughter of Edwin J. Stebbins and Julia A. Cory.
Edwin Stebbins Kassler of Denver is a genuine product of Colorado and one of its most enterprising citizens, known among the vigorous young element of the state as a progressive, public-spirited citizen. He grad- nated from the East Denver High School in 1886. In the same year, he took a position as elerk in the First National Bank of Denver. That position he held with creditable ability for a number of years and, in later times, has been known as one of Denver's most careful, thorough and conscientious business men and financiers. Pursuing his business as an in- vestment agent and dealer in real estate and securities, he has been and continues to be a potent agency in attracting capital and people for the upbuilding of Denver and pro- motion of the industries of the state. He attends to the business of his personal hold- ings, is well informed and reliable as an in-
vestment agent and handles the class of se- curities only which have the substantial backing of well established industries, or those of financial interests which are ap- proved by the banks of the nation. Thus, pursuing his business course in Denver, Mr. Kassler has aligned himself with some of the most important industries and utilities of Colorado. He is a director in the United States National Bank, director of the Den- ver Union Water Company and the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company. Mr. Kassler has served as a member of the board of trustees of the Charity Organiza- tion Society since 1907. This board directs largely the work of the Associated Charities of Denver. He was also a director of the Denver Real Estate Exchange for a num- ber of years, prior to 1906. It can be truly said of him that he is following in the foot- steps of his revered father in laying the foundations and promoting the details of de- velopment of the still greater and more beautiful Denver. Mr. Kassler is decidedly a business man and, as a relaxation from his arduous pursuit of material interests, he gives natural vent to his sociable disposition as a member of the Denver Country Club, the Denver Athletic Club and the Denver Club, while, as a business matter, he is a member of the Colorado Traffic Club. Per- sonally, Mr. Kassler is a gentleman of admir- able characteristics, much beliked in social circles, while he has the confidenee .and friendship of the entire business community.
Edwin Stebbins Kassler married Olivia Denham Cooper, the estimable daughter of the late Governor Job A. Cooper, in Denver, September 6, 1892. Their children are : Ruth, born July 20, 1893; Edwin S., Jr., September 12, 1895, and Genevieve, March 22, 1905.
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WILLIAM MELVILLE SPRINGER
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WILLIAM MELVILLE SPRINGER.
S PRINGER, WILLIAM MELVILLE, im- porter of horses, son of Isaac and Char- lotte (Ijams, born in Zanesville, Ohio) Springer, was born in Winona, Marshall county, Illinois, February 26, 1849. Through the maternal line, he is descended from Jus- tice Duval of the United States Supreme Court. The paternal branch of the family extends to the early history of the eolonies, and then still further back to some of the royal families of Europe. At the time of the settlement of the colonies, there were two members of the family, Charles Christopher Springer (1658-1738) and his half brother, Lorentz (Lawrenee) (1646-1741) of historie interest. Carl Christopher Springer, the Ameriean ancestor, erected the old Swedes Church, Wilmington, Delaware, in 1698, which is (1911) still standing. In the royal line the family tree extends to Charlemange, in 742, and Pharamond, 420 A. D. Other lines run back to the Czar and Grand Dueh- ess of Rusia, Otho the Illustrious, Henry the Fowler, and Alfred the Great. The Spring- ers date the family name from Louis Seeond, The Springer, Germany, in the year 1089 and eonneeted therewith, is an historieal story, interesting as romanee itself. This Louis was in the service of Emperor Henry IV, as an offieer in the military. He was im- prisoned in the old Castle of Giebiekenstein, near Hale, his place of confinement being 100 feet above the Saale river. No serious erime was charged against him, the arrest having been caused through the popularity of Louis himself. After an imprisonment of two years, and no attempt to bring him to trial, as the offense charged was trivial, he obtained his freedom by leaping from the castle. He was pardoned for his courage when taken before the emperor, who gave him the name "Springer," owing to his won- derful "spring" from the castle. Count Springer, grandson of Louis II, The Springer, was given Waldenburg, in Silesia, and Knighted in 1092 when only one year of age. The Springer coat of arms is one of the old- est in Europe.
William M. Springer, the subject of this sketeh, was edueated at Hedding College, Abingdon, Illinois. In 1874, he was deputy
recorder in Chicago under James Stuart. Returning to his old home in Marshall eoun- ty, he there introduced the shorthorn breed of eattle. Removing to Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1881, he continued in the stock business, be- coming an importer of Belgian and Olden- borg stock and Percheron stallions from Europe. Mr. Springer was soon known as one of the most prominent stockmen in the United States. He made his first trip to Europe in 1882, and since then he has erossed the Atlantic sixty-two times. Com- ing to Denver, in 1899, the firm of Springer & Stubbs was formed, and for a number of years eontinned to deal in blooded stoek, but he has since retired from the more aetive work, though he still retains an interest in the business.
His travels have taken him through all parts of Europe, where he is known as a prominent stockman, as well as in this eoun- try. He has visited England, Ireland, Scot- land, Wales, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Russia, ineluding St. Petersburg and Moscow, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and was in Russia dur- ing the war of the latter with Japan. For many years he was the president of the Na- tional Association of Importers and Breed- ers of fine draft horses. In 1885, he was appointed by the governor of lowa eommis- sioner to France when it was reported that the latter country would place an embargo on the exportation of horses, owing to the probability of war with Germany. Mr. Springer was appointed by Germany as eus- todian of the Oldenborg records at the World's Fair, Chieago, and for the St. Louis Exposition he was speeial commissioner to Europe to secure a fine exhibit of horses from abroad.
He married first in Chicago, Illinois, Feb- ruary 28, 1879, Miss Mary Reece, who died in 1890; seeond. Miss Emma Hauck, in Den- ver, Colorado, December 22, 1910. He has three children living: Fred. R., now ranch- ing in California, and two daughters, Flor- ence M. and Pauline C.
Mr. Springer is a member of the Gentle- man's Riding and Driving Chib, Denver, and the Stockman's Club.
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PAUL B. GAYLORD
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PAUL B. GAYLORD.
G AYLORD, PAUL B., insurance, son of Edward H. and Sarah Rich Gaylord, was born in Independence, Iowa, June 14, 1858. His family was identified in the early days both in the east and the west with the history and development of the country. His father was one of the leading stock and horsemen of Colorado. Young Gaylord at- tended the public schools of his native town. He was afforded plenty of outdoor exercise and recreation in his boyhood, owing to the extensive stock business of his father, for Paul was always fond of a good horse. In the midst of this open air environment, he grew up a strong and sturdy lad. At the age of eighteen, he entered the employ of the railway mail service, and for a time, ably and efficiently was thus engaged in the service of the government. From 1876 until 1880, he made his home in Kansas, but in the latter year, removed to Colorado.
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